By Venesa Namusabi
Uganda is set to celebrate another regional victory, but that will have to wait in December 2026 after the second round of the FIM Central Africa Motocross Challenge that will be held Kenya.
The celebration in waiting comes after Uganda just like it was in 2025 dominated the first round collecting 2419points, 2281points ahead of rivals Kenya who collected 138 points after fielding only four riders.
The dusty two-day show saw the return of Malcom Omoding in the MX2 class finishing second behind winner Gift Tabula Sebuguzi.
Omoding who is an irregular competitor due to a tight academic schedule but his lethal return was much felt by the opponents in a gruelling race while Ashi Mbabazi Jr came third in the seven-member team race.
In the MX65cc class jude Kyle Musede was on top of his form winning all the three heats to collect a maximum 60points.
Solomon Winyi came second while Edric Musede completed the podium finish.
The event was sponsored by Mountain Dew, Shell and Gogo electric bike.
This leaves Uganda in ahigh chance of retaining the regional title won last year in Naivasha, Kenya.
The two-day East and Central Africa motocross Challenge in Garuga, Entebbe, Wakiso district was meant to have four coutries including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and hosts Uganda.
However, only Kenya and Tanzania turned up for the event, unfortunately Tanzania riders participate as guests and their points do not count because as a country it is not affiliated yet to the continental body FIM Africa.
And the absence of such full participation by Kenya gave the Ugandans the opportunity to dominate all the classes except the MX85 class where Armani-Armani from Kenya gave Ugandans a run for their money.
In all the three heats, the battle between Armani-Armani, Jonathan Katende, Ramathan Mubiru, Ashraf Mbabazi jr and Ethan Musede kept the fans excited throughout the event.
Katende emerged winner collecting 60 points, with Armani coming second with 45 point while ethan Musede came third with 43 points.
The Ugandan star Jonathan Katende was humbled winning the race and promised more wins in the second leg. However, the Kenyan opponent Armani promised a fight back at home and attributed defeat to the racing track he is not used to.
“I did not have enough time to practice on the track and I tried my best. Jonathan, Mubiru, Mbabazi and Musede are very good riders but I promise Im waiting for them at home and I will win,” Armani said.
FIM CAC 1 results by class
Totals points:
Uganda 2419 Kenya 138
Class points
50cc
Uganda 327 Kenya 77
65cc
Uganda 345 kenya 15
85cc
Uganda 263 kenya 46
MX125
Uganda 285 Kenya 0
WMX open class
Uganda 267 Kenya 0
WMX lite
Uganda 182 Kenya 0
MX2 class
Uganda 276 Kenya 0
MX1 class
Uganda 217 Kenya 0
END.
